Meter testing device



Nov. 9, 1948. BOOTH 2,453,191

METER TESTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 14, 1946 z 106 g E T r a 11.;

427740 t. 500 TH,

f/VVEA/TOR Afro/away.

Patented Nov. 9, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METER TESTING DEVICE Arthur E. Booth, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 14, 1946, Serial No. 703,119

This invention relates generally to devices for testing electric meters and instruments and more particularly to devices for use by public utilities and similar concerns where a larger number of such devices are constantly being calibrated and checked against a standard.

In the operation of public utilities, it is necessary that the various meters and instruments used in the generation and transmission of power be accurate. As a result, most utilities have a regular schedule for removing and testing the meters, comparing them with a secondary standard or bench meter which in turn is calibrated against a very accurate primary standard. However, the operating meter or instrument must be checked over a relatively wide range of operating conditions, rather than a single designated point, and consequently the operating conditions of both the standard and operating instrument must be simultaneously varied. Furthermore, a large variety of instruments must be tested, including volt meters, ammeters, watt meters, and power factor meters. The calibration of volt meters and ammeters is rather simple, but the calibration of watt meters, and power factor meters requires more elaborate testing equipment. In the calibration of power factor meters, for example, it is necessary to provide two voltages, one of which is maintained substantially constant while the other voltage is varied in phase or magnitude with respect to the first voltage. Heretofore, this has been done by the use of rotating machinery which is large, expensive, andcumbersome. By using the testing device about to be described, however, the need for the rotating equipment is eliminated, and these tests and others may be quickly and easily performed with a small amount of equipment occupying much less space and more easily controlled.

It is therefore the major object of this invention to provide a device for the checking of meters and instruments against a standard.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which occupies a minimum of space and requires very little power.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of this type in which the majority of routine checks upon meters and instruments may be performed with a few simple adjustments, the checks being made over the useful range of the instrument rather than at a single point on a scale.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device which may be used in the checking 2 Claims. (Cl. 175183) shaft.

from the drawings illustrating that form, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled meter tester as it may be mounted in a case; and

Fig. 2 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, it will be seen that the device includes a series of connectors or terminals l0, controls ii to vary the voltages appearing at certain of the connectors, and switch handles 12 which are adapted to control the energization of certain sections of the equipment. While under certain circumstances it may be desirable to install this equipment permanently in a test bench, at other times it is preferable to have the device semi-portable; consequently it has been shown here as enclosed in a cabinet l3, provided with a suitable connector 14 adapted to be connected to a source of power, and protected by a fuse I5. While various forms of cabinets may be used, it has been found that some form of light weight cabinet is very desirable if any testing is to be done where the meter or relay is installed.

As shown in the schematic wiring diagram of Fig. 2, the connector I4 is connected through fuses 15 to a pair of switches l6 and I1, the first of which controls the energization of some of the components of the device, and to the second of which controls the energization of the remainder. Among the components controlled by switch I6 is a variable transformer 28 whose output voltage may be varied by rotating a control shaft. Such transformers are commercially available under various trade names, such as Variao, and usually consist of an auto-transformer with an output tap which may be adjusted by rotating the As shown in Fig. 2, the input connections of the variable transformer 20 are connected by conductors 2! and 22 to the terminals of switch It, and the output terminals are connected by conductors 2'3 and 24 to the primary Winding 25 of a second transformer 26. Transformer 25 has a plurality of secondary windings,

one of which, 21, is a relatively low voltage, highcurrent capacity winding whose terminals are connected by conductors 3i! and 3! to terminals 32 and 33 respectively. These terminals thus provide a source of low voltage current for use in testing meters; and by Varying the adjustment of transformer 20, the flow of current may be controlled as desired.

To provide a supply of higher voltage, transformer 26 is also provided with a center-tapped secondary winding 35 whose end terminals are connected by conductors 3s and 3? to terminals 39 and ll and whose center tap 39 is connected by conductor 38 to terminal 42. The voltage appearing between terminals 45) and M will be the full voltage appearing between the ends of the secondary winding 35, while the voltage appearing between terminal 42 'andeither terminal E9 or 4! will be half of that voltage. Since secondary 35, like secondary 27, is controlled by the variable transformer 20, the voltage appearing between-anytwo of the terminals '41 M and 42 may be controlled by adjusting the variable transformer. All of the voltages, however, rise andfall together, and thus if the voltage appearmg between terminals to and M is reduced to one-half of its original value by adjustment of variable "transformer 20, the voltage appearing between terminals 40' and "42 will likewise be reduced .to one-half its original value. By way of example only and not as alimitatiomit has often been found desirable to construct transformers 29 and 26 so that'the voltage appearing between terminals 48 and 4! may be varied from zero to 800 volts, while the voltage appearing between terminals it and 42 may be varied between zero and 460 volts.

.To provide direct current "for use in testing direct current.meters and instruments and also for testing relays, should that be necessary, the output of secondary winding '35 is connected to a rectifier, of which many suitable types are available. While the connections may vary slightly with the type of rectifier used, it is .gener'ally'pre'ferable to use a so-called vacuum tube 5E ,"having a cathode 5i anda pair .of .anodes ll'l. and to connect the latter to the end terminals of secondarywin'ding .35 by conductors and 46.'

Powerto operatethe cathode 5! is .obtainedifrom a separate transformer 52 whose primary 53 'is connected to conductors 2| and 22 so that it is energized by closing of switch i E, and whose sec-- ondary winding 55 is connected by conductors 55fand 56 to the cathode. Secondary winding 54 is provided witha center tap .51 which forms one side of the direct-current circuit; and it, and center .tap 3.9 are connected .by conductors El! and "6! respectively .to.-a filter circuit 62 of the choke-input, condenser-output type to provide a direct-current Loutput whic'h'has substantially no, ripple or alternating components. Across the output terminals of the filter circuit is a voltage divider comprising a resistor 63 having a tap .64 which is "at a potential intermediate that of its ends. The ends of resistor63 are connected by conductors '55 i and "6.6 to terminals 16.? and .68 re spec'tively, while 'tapi64 is connected by conductor 16 to'term'inal'Tl. 'Theresistor 63 [thus provides a continuous load for the rectifier 58,'and tapifi l permits an intermediate voltage less than that appearing between terminals 51 and 68 to be selected.

"Itshould'be noted that the'transformer52 is energized directly from'the connector I 4 through switch it without any intermediate variable contion. However, when a more accurate control of the lower voltages is desired, a resistor 12 may be'connected in parallel with the resistor 63 by closing switch 13. When this switch is closed, resistor 12 provides an additional load in the output circuit of the vacuum tube 50, thereby lowering the voltage appearing between the terminals 6i and 88, to leave the same amount of angular movement of the shaft of variable transformer 28 to control 'a'sn'i'aller range of voltage. As .aresult,la.more accurate control of the lower voltages is obtainable. it"has been found desirablein many instances to provide components of the circuit which will furnish a voltage range of .zero to 400 volts between terininalst"! and '68' when switch l3fis open, with a voltage range of zero to 100 volts between terminals '6'! and .1 I.

The remaining component parts .of the device are controlled'by switch I! whose terminals'are connected by conductorsflfi and .8! to .asecond variable transformer similar to variable transformer L2H, and having a variable output terminal 411 Since the transformer shown is of the auto-transformer type, the other or nonvariable output terminal .lS normally considered tube the same .as that -towhich conductor is connected; and by-adjusting the (control shaft of the transformer, [the voltagezappearing between terminal .83 and conductor 60, and also the voltage appearing between terminal- .83 -and conduotor -81, may -be varied. This in certain power factor tests hereinafter described. To render these voltages readily available, conductor all is connected by conductor '34 to terminal 85,-and conductor fifland terminal83 are connected to terminals 81 .and 5 I 11 certain testing of power factor -meters, it is desirable to reverse sthe phase of athe 'voltage :appearingbe tween terminals 45''] and 91 without affecting "the voltage-appearing [between terminals -85 "and 87h To :do this, :a single pole double 'throwswitch-cl 20" isiprovidedzhaving a-=movable contact l2"! which is connected by conductor 1-22 to terminal 9|. The unovablecontact I21 is adapted to complete a circuit-.either 110 a fixed contact 123 which is connected by conductor "to I tenminal '83,- or :to a fixed contact I2 3. one "terminal of ithe secondary of an isolation transformer $26, the 'other terminal of which is connected to terniinal 81 by conductors l 25 Y and 8B. This transformer l 26 has a one-to-one ratio so that there is no voltage-"change through it, and its primary windingis connectedto conductors'ii B and-"90, 'while its secondary is connected ,so that thereis .a reversal of phase in the voltage appearing "between "terminals 81 and .9! when movable contact [2-] .is moved fromfixed contact iitlto fined contact 1124. .The voltage between terminals '85'and 81 the .voltagebetween terminals 8.! and Al maybe varied by adjusting By way of example only,

feature is utilized The latter is connected to thus remains constant and the transformer .82, fromzero to a voltage equal to or slightly above that appearing between terminals 85 and 81.

It will be noted that the control of these voltages is independent of the adjustment of variable transformer 20; and conversely, the control of the voltages appearing between terminals connected to transformer 26 has no effect upon the voltages appearing between terminals 85, 81 and 9|. Similarly, the operation of variable transformer 02 is independent of the position of switch I0, while the operation of variable transformer 20 is independent of the position of switch I'I. Consequently, to facilitate the use of thetest device it has been found advisable to align the control handle for switch I! with the control knob for variable transformer 82, align the control handle for switch I6 with the control knob of variable transformer 20, and place the control handle for switch I20 between the others. Similarly, since switch I3 controls the direct current output, it may logically be placed to one side where it is substantially aligned with terminals 61, 68 and II. This is indicated in Fig. l where the left hand control knob i I controls the variable transformer '20, and its energization is controlled by the left hand switch handle I2 which operates switch I6. Similarly, the right hand control knob I I controls the operation of variable transformer 82, and is aligned with the switch handle I2 which operates the associated switch H. The facilitate the use of this device, the legends of the terminals I controlled by switch I6 may be in one color, while the legends of the terminals controlled by switch i! may be in a different color. Thus, terminals 40, ll, 42, 32, 33, 61, 68 and II might have adjacent legends in white, while terminals 85, 01 and 9| might be red. The graduations of the controls II and the legends of switch levers I2 may be similarly colored so that it may be readily apparent which controls and terminals are associated.

To increase the versatility and usefulness of the device, variable transformer 82 may be used to provide a supply of direct current independent of that furnished by variable transformer 20. As shown in the wiring diagram, conductor 80 and terminal 83, constituting the output terminals of variable transformer 82, may be connected to a primary winding 94 of a transformer 92 having a center tapped secondary winding 93. A vacuum tube 95, similar to vacuum tube 50, and having 4 anodes 96 and a cathode 91, has the terminals of the latter connected by conductors I00 and IM to the end terminals of a center-tapped secondary winding I03 of a transformer I 02. The latter has a primary winding I04 whose terminals are connected by conductors I05 and I06 to the terminals of switch II so that it is energized whenever the switch is closed and cathode 91 is thereby heated. The end terminals of secondary 93 of transformer 92 are connected by conductors I01 and I08 to anodes 96 of vacuum tube 95; and the center tap of that winding is connected to conductor I09 which, with conductor I I0 connected to the center tap of secondary I03 of transformer I02, forms the direct-current output circuit. Conductors I09 and H0 are connected to a two-section chokeinput, condenser-output filter circuit III similar to filter circuit 62, and the output from the filter.

circuit is connected by conductors H2 and I I3 to terminals I I4 and I I5 respectively. The proper output impedance may be obtained by connecting a resistor I I6 between conductors I I2 and I I 3, and the voltage appearing between terminals I I4 and I I5 may be adjusted by varying the variable transformer 82. The legend of these terminals, in ac- 6 cordance with the previous discussion, would be marked in red to indicate that they are controlled by switch I1 and variable transformer 82.

Since the direct current provided at terminals I M and H5 is entirely separate and independent from that provided at terminals 01, 08 and II, these two sets of terminals may be connected in series if a higher voltage is required than is obtainable by the use of eit er direct current circuit alone. Similarly, by adjusting the corresponding transformers so that the two sets of terminals provide equal voltages, they may be connected in parallel when the current demands of the load are greater than can be handled by either circuit alone.

While obviously the size and capacity of certain of the components will be largely determined by the size and capacity of certain other components, it has been found that if secondary winding of transformer 20 is adapted to provide approximately 800 volts between its end terminals when primary 25 is energized at 135 volts, satisfactory results will be obtained if the following values are used:

Capacitors, in filter circuit 62, 8 to 16 mfds. each. Choke coils, in filter circuit 62, 5 to 25 henries each. Resistor 63, 20,000 ohms.

Resistor 72, 10,000 ohms.

Vacuum tube 50, 80, 83, 523, 5R4GY.

Similar values may be used in the direct current circuit energized by switch I! with equally good results, and it is believed that their application will be obvious.

Operation In the use of this meter tester, connector I4 is connected to a suitable source of power, and switches I6 and ll are left open until the desired connections have been made to the terminals I0. It is obviously not practical to give detailed instructions as to the method of checking each kind of meter and relay which may be tested by this device, but the following examples should provide sufficient information to indicate how other types may be tested.

ssuming first that an A.-C. volt meter is to be checked against a standardA.-C. volt meter, the two meters are connected in parallel and to terminals 40 and M, 40 and 42, and BI, or 81 and SH. The particular terminals which are selected will be determined by the voltage range of the meters, since a range of 800 volts is available between terminals 40 and M, while a range of 400 volts is obtainable between terminals 4| and 42 and between terminals 40 and 42. Similarly, a range of volts is available between terminals 85 and 9|, and a range of volts is available between terminals 81 and 9!, all of these ranges being from zero to the indicated value. If a volt meter having a range of zero to 250 volts is to be tested, it would normally be connected between terminals 46 and 42 or 4! and 42, and the standard meter would be connected in parallel with it. Switch I6 is then closed, and variable transformer 20 is operated to provide a range of voltages within the capacity of the meter so that the test meter may be compared to the standard meter. The capacity of transformers 20 and 26 is such that they are able to supply an ample amount of current without excessive voltage drop for almost all meters which are encountered in public utility work. Since both meters are subjected to the identical voltage, any deviation of the indicated reading area-r91 of. themtest imeter from. that. er the standard mdtenshcwsan-inaccuracyin the test .meter which will be .nctedxin the tabulation 'of corrections.

lrIf zan.:A.-'IC.. .ammeterris to :be .checked :against a standard ammeter, the two meters are connected in. series and to terminals 32 and 533. When switch 48 :is then closed, the current through the meters may be varied by'adjusting variable transformerafl; and since both meters are connected in :series, the current .j-flow through each @of them is the :samezas that through'the other. Consegreatly, the readings :should be the same at all times and any variation will .be noted in the eorrection chart.

When a singlephase wattmeter is to be tested, its current :coil is connected .-in series with the current coil of the standard-Wattmeter and .the terminals .32 M16133, :While the -voltagescoils of the standard and test metersa-reconnected 'in parallel and .to terminals :85 and :81, with switch 126 thrownrtozdisconnect the secondary of the isolationtransformer .1.-2s from the :circuit. Both switches to and :l Tare then-closed, and the voltage appearing between terminals 85 and 81 is equal to the rated Voltage of the meter or its normal operating voltage, assuming a 1001120 volt meter. Variable transformer 'is then adjusted to provide a series of current values within the range of the meters so that a series of readings may be made.

To .test the accuracy'of a power factor meter. the current coils of-the standard and test meters are .connectedin series-and :to terminals 32 and 33, while the potential coils are connected in parallel and to terminals 85, 81 and 9!. Phase A of the potential circuit is connected to terminal 85; phase .Bis connected to terminal 31; and phase '0 is connected .to terminal 9|. Switch L20 is thrown to disconnect terminal .91 from the secondary of transformer 126 and connect the terminal directly toconductor 9.0,.switches 6 and 1.! 'are then closed, and variable transformer .20 is adjusted until the current in theseries circuit is. equal to the normal rated current of the .instruments, normally 5,amperes. .By then varying the control of variable transformer 82, the voltage of terminal 9.! is changed withrespect to ter mina1s85 and 87 and this produces .an indication of leading or lagging power factor. When the potentials at terminals 85 and 9! are equal, the meter, should indicate unity power factor, and as mentioned. the decrease in voltage appearing at terminal Q! will indicate, a lowering power factor. Usually the range of power factor indications produced in this manner is sufficient, but if .a power factor below 50% is to beindicated, the switch I 20 is.thrown,..and values ,much lower may be secured. When the test meter hasbeen calibrated for either leading or lagging power factor, as the case may be, the calibration of the other t pe of power factor may be made by interchanging the connections to terminals 185 and 8] and again varying the control of variable transformer 32. In this way, acomplete calibration of apower factor meter may be made without the use.of any rotating machineryland .with a minimum of time and effort.

It will be apparent that other alternating current meters may. be checked in asimilar manner, having regard for the particular function and internal connections of the .meter being tested. Direct-current volt meters,,millivoltmeters, milliammeters,..and microammeters may. be. tested by connecting them between terminals ,6] and B3 or between terminals Bland H, depending ,upon the rangeof the meter, .orthey.mavbesimilarlyitested by connecting them between terminals 11M and H5. As apreviously. mentioned, by connecting terminal 16:1 to terminal,ill i andconnectingaterminal 68 to terminal I 1:5, :the. :two independent sources of direct lcurrentzare-iconnected in ,parallel sol-that a greater current range is.available.

Both a'ltematingecurrent .an'd direct-current relays may ibe -'calibrated :and adjusted :loy using this .device, :the relay being connected to the tape propriate ,iierminaland the voltage and current conditions :adjusted :by means of the variable transformers 120 and 82 .so that proper operating conditions are btained. The current and voltage capacities of the various components {Offl'lhe device are .sufiicie'nt :to ope ate all .gen al va lr able commercial instruments without I overloading any of. the equipment .and without destroying the accuracy ,of any ofthe previously made adjustments ,In this connection, it should She :noted that transformer 26 is provided with a separate secondary windings! :which is used :tosupply the relatively low voltage, high current necessary z-for some of the tests, and "thus the other secondary 35 will not be-overloaded and-its voltage reduced when there is a relatively heavy current drain. Similarly, it willbe noted that thecath'odes 5 1 :and 9! :of vacuum tubes -50 and 'respectively'are energized by separate transformers 5'2 andplgflz which are not connected to the "output terminals of the variable transformers -20 and 8 2. Thus, as the variable transformers are-adjusted, the voltage and current conditions :of the cathodes remain unchanged to provide the optimum roperating conditions.

It will be :apparentthat modifications may-be made in this .device without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein, and the latter .is notto be-limited to the 5-par.ticular-.-form or. arrangement of .parts' herein :describedand shown .eXcept .as covered by the claims.

.Iclaim:

.1. A testing device ofthe type described which includes: a variable transformer adapted to be conneoted to :a source-of alternating currents-a multiple secondary transformer connected to the output of said variable transformer, said multiple secondary transformer having a relatively highvoltage low-current secondary winding, and ;a relatively low-voltage highcurrent. secondary winding, the outputs of said secondary iwindings being. controlled --by the adjustment '-of said I variable transformer; means connecting :said ,secondary windings. to terminals .to which electricalapparatus maybe connected for testing; a second variable transformer having an input connection, a common inputand output connection, andan output connection, 3;d.a,pfied.1]0;be=COn-. nected .to .a source .ofaltemating current so that its output may be controlled independently of the output iof said .firstayariable transformer; and meansnconnecting said-input, comm-on, randsout-v. put. connections to separate terminals, ,-whereby a p'ower-iactor meter may be tested :by connect ing it to said l-ast-amentioned terminalswand said terminals. connected'to said .lo-wwol-ta-ge, high. current secondary winding-and varying thereontroller .cf said second variable transformer, and whereby a wattmeter may be tested :by connectingit tosaid common and said output connection and to said terminals connected to said 1 low-voltage, high current secondary Winding, :andvarying the controller of --.one.-.of said variable trans-formers. 2. "A device as described-in claim .1 in which isolation-transformer is connected --to said means connecting said common. and output connections to said terminals, said transformer being connected to said terminals to reverse the phase of the voltage appearing therebetween, and switch means operable to connect said transformer to change the phase of said voltage from normal to reverse.

ARTHUR E. BOOTH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 950,714 Blakeslee Mar. 1, 1910 5 2,205,309 Riordan June 18, 1940 OTHER REFERENCES MacGahen, Calibration Method for Electrodynamic Power Factor Meters, in Power Plant 10 Engineering, October 1945, pages 8'7 and 94. 

